Robotics Research and Education in the University of Utah’s Department of Mechanical Engineering has close ties with the School of Computing. The research program focuses on design, construction, operation, and use of robots. Core strengths include healthcare robotics, bioinspired design and control, manipulation and motion control, physical human robot interaction, micro/nano robotics, haptic interfaces, VR interfaces, and teleoperation.
Faculty and Labs
Jake Abbott
Lab – Utah Telerobotics
Interested in robotic systems that manipulate remote environments, with a primary focus on medical applications. Many of our systems utilize magnetic fields to manipulate objects without any direct physical contact. Many of our systems utilize the intelligence of a human operator directly in the control loop, and as such are designed to assist humans rather than replace them. Many of our systems utilize the human sense of touch, which is the field broadly known as “haptics”.
Yong Lin Kong
Lab – Additive Manufacturing Laboratory
Kam Leang
Lab – Design, Automation, Robotics & Control
Tommaso Lenzi
Lab – Bionic Engineering Laboratory
Focuses on the intersection of Robotics, Design, Control, and Biomechanics. We invent, prototype, engineer, and test bionic devices and systems to help people move and live independently.
Stephen Mascaro
Lab – BioRobotics
BioInstrumentation, BioManipulation, and BioInspiration are the core focus areas of our research. These three focus areas are consistent the with theme of the IGERT program on Biocentric Robotics, which complements the Robotics Track here at University of Utah.
Sanford G. Meek
Research focused on Modelling the effects of pelvis deformities in kidney function, Prosthetic arm design and control, Biocontrol systems, and Robotics.
Andrew Merryweather
Ergonomics & Safety
Research related to empirical research in the lab, field-based research into job physical risk factors associated with the development of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), and research and development relating to rehabilitation and assistive technology for persons with disabilities.
Mark Minor
Lab Website – Robotic Systems
We synergize design, modeling, and control of robotic systems to arrive at novel embodiments that provide new levels of adaptability, mobility, and immersion that would not otherwise be possible. We have extensive expertise with design and control of under-actuated nonholonomic systems, kinematic motion control, dynamic motion control, state estimation, sensor development, and data fusion.
Robert G. Parker
Lab – Dynamics & Vibrations
Pursues research that merges academic investigations suitable for publication in leading journals with practical applications. While our primary goal is to pursue research valuable for the broad vibration research community, we select projects that are drawn from engineering applications. We pursue these goals while giving PhD and MS students in the lab academically exciting projects for them to develop their independent research skills and prepare for their future careers.
Shad Roundy
Integrated Self-Powered Sensing
Focuses on wireless sensing systems including energy harvesting power sources (from vibrations and human motion), wireless power transfer (magnetic and ultrasonic), micro-sensors, and applications of wireless sensors. The connecting theme of our work is the intersection of electromechanical system design and dynamics. In short, we design, analyze, build, and characterize small-scale electromechanical systems.